Sea Otter 2012: Raleigh goes with disc brakes for 2013 RXC Pro

Sea Otter 2012: Raleigh goes with disc brakes for 2013 RXC Pro

Raleigh says the new RXC Pro disc-equipped carbon 'cross bike will be available around July or August. Cost is still to be determined but will likely be in the neighborhood of US$6,000 complete with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 group, Cole Products carbon wheels, and an Enve Composites carbon cockpit.

(Jonny Irick)

Raleigh could have tucked the Di2 battery down beneath the down tube or chain stay but opted to leave it in the standard position where it's most protected.

(Jonny Irick)

Svelte seat stays offer at least the suggestion of a smooth ride.

(Jonny Irick)

The convertible routing setup can be used with either electronic or cable actuated drivetrains.

(Jonny Irick)

The internally run cables make a brief appearance at the bottom bracket for easier routing.

(Jonny Irick)

The rear derailleur mounts to a replaceable hanger.

(Jonny Irick)

Cole Products wheels are builts with the unique pivoting spoke anchors that supposedly allow for better alignment and more tension.

(Jonny Irick)

The Enve Composites fork is perhaps the best disc-compatible 'cross fork we've ridden.

(Jonny Irick)

The rear disc brake caliper is neatly tucked away inside the rear triangle. The Shimano disc caliper pictured here is just a placeholder - the production bike will come with a nicer unit.

(Jonny Irick)

The Raleigh RXC Pro will come standard with an Enve Composites handlebar, stem, fork, and seatpost.

(Jonny Irick)

The PressFit 30 bottom bracket is not only light but also allows the bike to be converted to a singlespeed with the appropriate adapter.

(Jonny Irick)

The slightly curved top tube is flattened on the underside for less painful shouldering.

Still doubt the wave is coming? Raleigh Bicycles will make the bold move into the disc brake arena on its top-end cyclo-cross bike and according to "marketing guy" Brian Fornes, it'll be available for sale well in time for the start of the 2012-13 season.

The rear Shimano CX70 cable actuated disc caliper is tucked inside the rear triangle and bolted to post mount-style tabs on the chunky chain stays. Rear spacing is set at 135mm – the de facto standard for disc-equipped road and 'cross frames. The front caliper is bolted to Enve Composites' awesome disc-compatible carbon 'cross fork.

Other changes to Raleigh's top-end carbon fiber 'cross frame include a newly tapered head tube, tubular looped stays, and a clever internal/external convertible routing system compatible with either electronic wires or conventional cables. Adding further to the versatility is the PressFit 30 bottom bracket shell, which not only reduces weight on the bare frame but also allows for an easy singlespeed conversion with the correct adapter fitted.

The complete bike will come with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 group and Cole C38 Lite carbon clincher wheels. Fornes told Cyclingnews that final pricing is still to be determined but he estimates it will be somewhere around US$6,000.

The rear disc brake caliper is neatly tucked away inside the rear triangle. The Shimano disc caliper pictured here is just a placeholder - the production bike will come with a nicer unit.